Outcome of Normal Saline Flushing for a Totally Implantable Central Venous Access Device

Abstract

Objective: To study the outcome of flushing a totally implanted central venous access device (port) with normal saline without heparin.

Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. Data were collected from medical records of the patients who had port flushing with only normal saline at Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital from January 2009 to April 2012.

Results: A total of 35 patients were included. Mean age was 50.3 ± 7.1 years. Most were female (30 patients or 85.7%) and most had breast cancer (28 patients or 80.0%). Types of port were Celsite ST201® in 29 patients (82.9%) and Celsite Implantofix® in 6 patients (17.1%). All ports were flushed with 20 ml of normal saline. The flushing was done once every 4-18 weeks (median 12 weeks). With a median follow up of 96 weeks (36- 156 weeks), none had port occlusion which needed port removal or re-implantation. Nevertheless, there were 2 patients (5.7%) whose blood could not be aspirated through the device but only fluid injection was possible. The problem in these 2 patients was solved by an injection of 5 ml of 500 unit/ml heparin which was left in the port. A follow up at 4-week in both patients demonstrated a completely patent port serving for blood aspiration and fluid injection.

Conclusion: Normal saline flushing was one of the effective flushing techniques for the port.